I've been coming here for nearly a year now, reading and posting questions. Just wanted to thank everyone who answered my questions. Getting ready in a little over 2 weeks to fly to Germany. I'm so excited!
I'm getting a little nervous too, afraid I'm going to forget something, guess that's normal. I haven't been to Europe since the end of 1990 when I was stationed in Germany in the Air Force. I'm taking my kids, one of my son's friends and a friend from work with me.
Just want to say that I just started going on this site and it is really fun, isn't it?? There are usually some good and informative answers and sometimes the comments can get really funny !! Have a wonderful time on your trip. It sounds like you are taking a good group with you. I always get nervous before a trip, just a build up of anticipation and excitement. Hope your have a great and memorable trip!!!
Hope you have a wonderful trip and than you come back afterwards and give us a trip report. Will keep my fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for you. It is fun having it stay light til so late at night, so your kids will like that.
I think Germany has changed a lot since 1990, so let us know what you think. Mainly shopping hours, bakeries being able to open on Sunday mornings, even minor stuff like the television shows or phoning the states is different.
Anyway, enjoy!
I will come back and post to let you all know how it went.
Hi Kathleen,
As far as I know being afraid you'll forget something is normal. Just remember, you can always pick up nearly averything that you forgot to bring with you. Have a great and safe trip.
Paul
Kathleen,
it's going to be interesting for you to go back almost 20 years later. The first 20 years after the Wall came down, so many things have changed, not just small ones. The last time I was in Berlin was in the summer of 1990. We chipped away pieces off the Berlin Wall - except for a tiny stretch there's nothing left. You can drive from East to West Germany or vice versa and won't see many differences. When we drove in 1990 there were no border fortifications left in Helmstedt but I still could tell that we just crossed the "border" - the smell in the air changed. Don't think you get that these days.
Yes, it's so different now! I was even longer between my time in Germany--1973 until 2007 It was amazing to see all that had happened since the wall came down and Germany united. I'm currently reading a history of the Berlin Wall and it's amazing to read again about what it was like in Berlin and German during most of the latter half of the 20th century and what it is like now. Every now and then I think about people my parents age--84--who lived in Germany from the 20's until today. Just think of how much has changed! Enjoy your trip. And don't worry about forgetting anything, you can find it there. I forgot my battery charger and picked up one at the KaDeWe in Berlin. Pam
